Kyrgyzstan

Broadcast media

state-run TV broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet hosts

115,573 (2012) country comparison to the world: 81

Internet users

2.195 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 74

Telephone system

general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links domestic: fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership was about 115 per 100 persons in 2011 international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

Telephones - main lines in use

502,000 (2011) country comparison to the world: 99

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.277 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 98

Agriculture - products

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Budget

revenues: $1.741 billion expenditures: $2.223 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-7.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Central bank discount rate

13.73% (22 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 2.5% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

28.5% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 34.07% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$546.3 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 -$252.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$3.666 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $3.602 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.4 (2007) country comparison to the world: 95 29 (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends heavily on gold exports - mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine - and on remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant workers priimarily in Russia. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. In 2005, the BAKIEV government and international financial institutions initiated a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007-08. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but slowed to 2.9% in 2009. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Shrinking trade and agricultural production, as well as political instability, caused GDP to contract 0.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit widened to 11% of GDP, reflecting significant increases in crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and bank recapitalization. The economy grew 5.7% in 2011, but slowed to around 1% in 2012, primarily because of decreased production from Kumtor; the budget deficit has been reduced to under 8% of GDP. Progress in reconstruction, fighting corruption, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - 47.33 (2012 est.) 46.144 (2011 est.) 45.964 (2010 est.) 42.905 (2009) 36.108 (2008)

Exports

$2.294 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $2.331 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat, tobacco; mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners

Uzbekistan 25.3%, Russia 22.1%, Kazakhstan 20.1%, China 7.8%, UAE 5.5%, Afghanistan 5%, Turkey 4.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.197 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$13.47 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $13.34 billion (2011 est.) $12.62 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 20.2% industry: 27.3% services: 52.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,400 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $2,400 (2011 est.) $2,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 5.7% (2011 est.) -0.5% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 27.8% (2009 est.)

Imports

$4.272 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $3.959 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 59.7%, Russia 13.9%, Kazakhstan 5.2% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

10% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 16.6% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Labor force

2.344 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 114

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 48% industry: 12.5% services: 39.5% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$165 million (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 115 $79 million (31 December 2010) $71.84 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

33.7% (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.164 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $1.835 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.952 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $1.654 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $1.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.669 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 $1.409 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$897.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $759.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.33 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $1.363 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Unemployment rate

8.6% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 18% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.131 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Crude oil - imports

2,387 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Crude oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - consumption

7.29 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - exports

2.62 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - from fossil fuels

20.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

79.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - imports

535 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.64 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - production

14.9 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - consumption

462.5 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - imports

450 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Natural gas - production

12.5 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Refined petroleum products - consumption

16,640 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Refined petroleum products - exports

5,902 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Refined petroleum products - imports

28,940 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Refined petroleum products - production

2,607 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Area

total: 199,951 sq km country comparison to the world: 87 land: 191,801 sq km water: 8,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

Irrigated land

10,196 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Land use

arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Terrain

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Total renewable water resources

46.5 cu km (1997)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital

name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

27 June 2010

Country name

conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela SPRATLEN embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 FAX: [996] (312) 551-264

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mukhtar JUMALIEV chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York

Executive branch

chief of state: President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011) head of government: Prime Minister Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 5 September 2012); First Deputy Prime Minister - Joomart OTORBAEV (since 5 September 2012); Deputy Prime Ministers - Tayyrbek SARPASHEV and Kamila TALIEVA (since 5 September 2012) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security are appointed solely by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held on 30 October 2011 (next scheduled for 2017); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will form a coalition majority and government election results: Almazbek ATAMBAEV elected president; percent of vote - Almazbek ATAMBAEV 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIEV 14.3%, other 7.8%; Jantoro SATYBALDIEV elected prime minister; parliamentary vote - 111-2

Flag description

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth

Government type

republic

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jogorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

Legal system

civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 10 October 2010 (next to be held in 2015) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23, Ata-Meken 18

National anthem

name: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic) lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV note: adopted 1992

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

National symbol(s)

gyrfalcon

Political parties and leaders

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV]; Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV]; Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Citizens Against Corruption [Tolekan ISMAILOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA]; Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV]; Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]; Union of True Muslims [Nurlan MOTUEV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,456,881 females age 16-49: 1,470,317 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,119,224 females age 16-49: 1,257,263 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 56,606 female: 54,056 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2010)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory male military service in the armed forces or Interior Ministry; service obligation - 1 year, with optional fee-based 3-year service in the callup mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2010)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 830,939/ female 795,028) 15-64 years: 65.5% (male 1,761,524/ female 1,840,319) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 103,679/ female 165,248) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

23.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.7% (2006) country comparison to the world: 105

Death rate

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 31

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,800 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Health expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 159

Hospital bed density

5.06 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

total: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 68 male: 35.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages

Kyrgyz (official) 64.7%, Uzbek 13.6%, Russian (official) 12.5%, Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.45 years country comparison to the world: 151 male: 65.27 years female: 73.91 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census)

Major cities - population

BISHKEK (capital) 854,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

71 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 86

Median age

total: 25.2 years male: 24.3 years female: 26.2 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate

-8.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Physicians density

2.301 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

5,496,737 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Population growth rate

0.89% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Religions

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 94% of population rural: 93% of population total: 93% of population unimproved: urban: 6% of population rural: 7% of population total: 7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.73 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.6% country comparison to the world: 79 male: 13.6% female: 16.2% (2006)

Urbanization

urban population: 35% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes over enclaves and other areas

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,660 (Uzbekistan) (2011) IDPs: 172,000 (June 2010 violence in southern Kyrgyzstan between the Kyrgyz majority and the Uzbek minority) (2012)

Airports

28 (2012) country comparison to the world: 120

Airports - with paved runways

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2012)

Pipelines

gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Railways

total: 470 km country comparison to the world: 112 broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 34,000 km (2003) country comparison to the world: 95

Waterways

600 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 80